North Brookfield, Brookfield, Leicester and Spencer Vol

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Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.SPENCERNEWLEADER.COM Friday, February 3, 2012 THIS WEEK’S QUOTE Tantasqua students represent towns in Project 351 “The time to ‘IT’S NICE TO KNOW WE WERE ABLE TO repair the roof ASSIST SO MANY PEOPLE’ is when the sun BY KEVIN FLANDERS This is the second year TRJHS STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER eighth graders have taken part in is shining.” Five Tantasqua Regional Junior Project 351, which enables one stu- High School eighth graders represent- dent from each of the towns in John F. Kennedy ed their respective towns well on Massachusetts to visit Boston and Saturday, Jan. 14, traveling to Boston participate in community service. to participate in community service This year’s Tantasqua student ambas- efforts as part of Project 351. sadors — Griffin Moore, of Brimfield, INSIDE Chineme Onwubueke, of Sturbridge, Kevin Flanders photo Jason Deforge, of Wales, Brittany Foley, of Holland, and Brytni Obituaries ..............B2 These five Tantasqua Regional Junior High Simmons, of Brookfied — each School eighth graders went to Boston on Calendar ................B3 enjoyed their experience in Boston. Saturday, Jan. 14, to participate in commu- Local ..................A2-4 nity service efforts as part of Project 351. Please Read PROJECT, page A11 Classroom Corner A6-7 Viewpoint ..............A8 Sports..................A10 Police Logs ..........A15 Durant unsure on BOS re-election plans CHABOT ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO STEP ASIDE LOCAL IN NORTH BROOKFIELD BY DAVID DORE “It’s something I need to dis- NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER cuss with my wife, have some As election season gets under serious discussions about that, as way, a selectman in one local well as the other guys on the community is considering his board,” he said. future while a colleague in a Durant noted the other four neighboring town is preparing to selectmen have helped him bal- step aside. ance being both a selectman and David Dore photo Spencer Selectman Peter a state representative. He was Outreach Coordinator Barbara Paszuk sits in her office at the Durant, who is also state repre- elected to the Legislature in a Leicester Senior Center. She took the position in June following sentative for the 6th Worcester special election last May after the the retirement of Mary O’Brien. District, said Monday, Jan. 30 he 2010 contest between him and Peter Durant had not yet decided whether he would seek re-election. Please Read DURANT, page A12 Lending a Taking part in history Page A3 helping hand PASZUK ENJOYING ROLE SPORTS AS LEICESTER OUTREACH COORDINATOR BY DAVID DORE Center. NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER “It was just such an LEICESTER — For interesting position,” she Barbara Paszuk, it’s all said. “I just wanted to get about helping others. in to help these ladies, For a few years she did these gentlemen.” that by serving on the According to Paszuk, David Dore photos Leicester Council on the outreach coordinator Aging, first as a member helps seniors — and The Otters provided live music during the spaghetti dinner. and later as chairman. In sometimes their children, Cougars coast June Paszuk stepped family members or Page A10 Hearts for heat down when she succeeded friends — with services the retiring Mary O’Brien they might need, such as NORTH BROOKFIELD — The fourth annual Hearts for Heat Spaghetti Supper and as outreach coordinator fundraiser, sponsored by the group’s North Brookfield chapter and the Hayden at the Leicester Senior Please Read PASZUK, page A11 Masonic Lodge, was held Saturday, Jan. 28. For more photos, turn to page A9! OPINION GET YOUR POINT ACROSS TLGV unveils master protection blueprint PAGE A8 BY TERRI VIANI making, Green & Growing ic impact of land,” said ment presents an impressive standing of the elements that STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER OLICE OGS brings all aspects of local Charlene Cutler, Last Green number of agricultural goals impact the success of agri- POLICE LOGS The Last Green Valley,Inc., agriculture into one docu- Valley Inc. executive director for the Last Green Valley, culture,” said Cutler. “A con- has launched its latest and ment and provides a regional and CEO. “There is a real identifying those factors pos- sumer may not understand AGE P A15 most ambitious initiative to blueprint for enhancing and consequence to not doing itively impacting agriculture the regulations a farmer date, according to its cre- protecting agriculture in the something: the window of in the region — and encour- might be operating under. ators — Green & Growing: A Last Green Valley. opportunity will close and aging interaction of those The farmer may be unaware Call to Action, a comprehen- “The Last Green Valley we will lose our precious factors — while also high- of the general health con- sive regional plan to sustain worked to develop a strategy land. There will no longer be lighting challenges to agri- cerns of the consumer or and expand food, fiber and to reverse the loss of agricul- The Last Green Valley.” cultural success. why cooperatives are impor- forest production in the ture and rural traditions The extensive, 100-plus “We wanted to provide peo- tant.” National Heritage Corridor. while enhancing the econom- page Green & Growing docu- ple with a general under- More than two years in the Please Read TLGV, page A11 2 SPENCER NEW LEADER • Friday, February 3, 2012 No lights, camera, action for Town Meetings? electricity. WATER DEPARTMENT WANTS INPUT ON ELECTRICITY BUYING DISCUSSION Nadon noted the National Grid rate was higher than the rate the town got through Constellation BY DAVID DORE like to see that covered again if at Meetings, simply because I think the West Brookfield Water Energy the last two years — but NEW LEADER STAFF WRITER all possible.” it’s going to drop the attendance,” Commission said they want to be that doesn’t seem to be the case this WEST BROOKFIELD — He cited Town Meetings, the he said. “ ... I’m concerned about consulted before selectmen agree to year. Selectmen’s meetings could soon be Fourth of July bonfire on the town dropping down attendance at Town future contracts with power Barry said town officials are con- returning to local television common and White Christmas. Meeting even further.” providers. sidering other electricity providers screens, but for now Town Meeting Gillogly said he was not able to Nadon said he would “like to see Water Commissioner Lester once the contract with won’t be getting the same treat- cover the most recent White them played a week or so later,” Paquette said last week he was not Constellation Energy expires. She ment. Christmas because of family mat- while Selectman Mark Long said, pleased with the contract select- told Paquette and Water The last three selectmen’s meet- ters. Other events, he said, would “It doesn’t bother me either way. men signed with Constellation Commission Chairman Robert ings were not broadcast on the depend on the number of people We’ll go with that.” Energy, based in Baltimore, to sup- Benson she would contact their town’s local cable access channels available and willing to help him Selectmen and Gillogly agreed ply electricity to municipal depart- board during the process. because of malfunctioning power out. this year’s meeting to go over the ments. adapters for the two cameras in the “Getting volunteers is tough,” Annual Town Meeting warrant, In September 2008 selectmen TAVERN LICENSE EXTENDED downstairs meeting room at Town Gillogly said. sponsored by the Advisory approved a contract with a price of Also last week, selectmen voted Hall. And when they were on televi- Executive Secretary Johanna Committee, would be taped and 11.447 cents per kilowatt hour to extend the expiration of the sion, Selectmen Chairman Barry Barry suggested the volunteers shown on public access. But they through Dec. 1, plus transmission liquor license for Ye Olde Tavern to Nadon Jr. said, viewers claimed the could come from a senior work off took no action on whether future costs from National Grid. Dec. 31 because concerns Building sound was “snowy.” program, similar to programs in Town Meetings would be broadcast. According to Paquette and Inspector Jeffrey Taylor raised WBTV Director Barry Gillogly Brimfield and Spencer, that gives According to Nadon, showing the Nadon, National Grid’s current over the maximum occupancy of said at the Jan. 24 Board of senior citizens a rebate on their Advisory Committee’s meeting on rate is 8 cents per kilowatt hour. the building had been resolved. The Selectmen meeting he would look property taxes in exchange for TV has been helpful in the past. “As the largest consumer of elec- East Main Street restaurant’s at various options. working for the town. “I think we had less questions tricity we had no input,” Paquette license renewal was due to expire Bookending that discussion was “It’s something to consider,” she when it came to Town Meeting,” he said. “ ... We’re under contract with at the end of this month.

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